CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer was named a Davey O'Brien Award semifinalist as one of the top 20 quarterbacks in the nation, the Davey O'Brien Foundation announced Wednesday. The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award.
Altmyer ranks among the best quarterbacks in the nation in nearly every major category. He is sixth in the nation in passing efficiency (165.0), 10th in completion percentage (70.0), 17th in touchdown passes (19), and 26th in passing yards (2,255), while also adding 108 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Altmyer has guided Illinois to a 6-3 record this season, including a 34-32 win over then-#21 USC when he totaled 359 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns: one rushing, one receiving, and two passing. He became the first player to record a rushing, receiving, and passing touchdown in a Big Ten game since 2011 (Vincent Smith, Michigan vs. Minnesota).
Since arriving in Champaign in 2022, Altmyer has led Illinois to 20 wins in games he started, the third-most victories by a quarterback in Illinois history. He ranks fifth in Illinois history with 54 career touchdown passes, two away from second place, and seventh in passing yards with 6,855.
The next step in the process will be to select the award's three finalists, who will again be chosen based on voting from the Davey O'Brien National Selection Committee as well as bonus ballots awarded from the second round of the Davey O'Brien Fan Vote.
For the sixth straight year, fan voting on social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) will earn players bonus selection committee votes. Second-round fan voting will begin immediately following the semifinalist announcement. To vote, fans must like the official graphic from the @daveyobrien social media account that highlights their favorite quarterback. The second round will close Friday, Nov. 21, at 11:59 p.m. (CT).
The Davey O'Brien Foundation will announce the three finalists Tuesday, Nov. 25. The 2025 Davey O'Brien Award winner will be unveiled live on ESPN on Friday, Dec. 12, during The Home Depot College Football Awards.
The 49th Annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner honoring the winner will be held Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.
In 1938, O'Brien, who was a star quarterback for TCU, became the first player ever to win the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, and Walter Camp Award in the same year. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1955.
Created in 1977, the Davey O'Brien Foundation has given away more than $1.4 million in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life.
For more information, visit www.daveyobrienaward.com.
2025 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Semifinalists
Luke Altmyer, Illinois, Sr., 6-2, 205, Starkville, Miss.
Bear Bachmeier, BYU, Fr., 6-2, 230, Murrieta, Calif.
Byrum Brown, USF, Sr., 6-3, 232, Raleigh, N.C.
CJ Carr, Notre Dame, R-Fr., 6-3, 210, Saline, Mich.
Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss, Sr., 6-0, 200, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Joe Fagnano, UConn, Sr., 6-4, 225, Williamsport, Pa.
Blake Horvath, Navy, Sr., 6-2, 195, Hilliard, Ohio
Haynes King, Georgia Tech, Sr., 6-3, 215, Longview, Texas
Jayden Maiava, USC, Jr., 6-4, 230, Palolo, Hawaii
Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, Jr., 6-5, 225, Miami, Fla.
Darian Mensah, Duke, So., 6-3, 205, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Drew Mestemaker, North Texas, R-Fr., 6-4, 211, Austin, Texas
Dante Moore, Oregon, So., 6-3, 206, Detroit, Mich.
Chandler Morris, Virginia, Sr., 6-0, 192, Highland Park, Texas
Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt, Sr., 6-0, 207, Albuquerque, N.M.
Marcel Reed, Texas A&M, So., 6-1, 185, Nashville, Tenn.
Julian Sayin, Ohio State, So., 6-1, 208, Carlsbad, Ala.
Ty Simpson, Alabama, Jr., 6-2, 208, Martin, Tenn.
Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati, Jr., 6-3, 235, Denton, Texas
Gunner Stockton, Georgia, Jr., 6-1, 215, Tiger, Ga.
